Jeju United looking for solid AFC Champions League knockout stage debut

South Korean football club Jeju United will face Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League this week as they aim to leave a strong impression in their knockout stage debut. Jeju, making only their second appearance to the AFC Champions League, will host Urawa in the first leg of their round of 16 action on Wednesday, before traveling to Saitama, Japan, on May 31, for their second leg.Jeju United attacking midfielder Hwang Il-su (center) celebrates with teamm

May 22, 2017

Nat'l football coach goes back to familiar faces for spark

To spark a team that has been utterly unimpressive in recent outings, South Korea men's football head coach Uli Stielike has gone back to some familiar faces.Stielike on Monday announced his 24-man roster for the World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Doha on June 13.With three matches remaining in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, South Korea are in second place in Group A with 13 points, thanks to four wins, one draw and two losses. They're four points back of Iran an

May 22, 2017

In-form Tottenham star Son Heung-min headlines World Cup qualifier roster

In-form Tottenham winger Son Heung-min was tapped on Monday to lead the South Korean attack at a crucial World Cup qualifier next month.Head coach Uli Stielike announced his 24-man roster that will take on Qatar in Group A on June 13 in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.South Korea will face Iraq in a tune-up on June 7 in the United Arab Emirates.Son was a no-brainer choice for Stielike. The 24-year-old has just completed his most successful club career with Tottenham,

May 22, 2017

Barca youngster shines in Korea's victory vs. Guinea

South Korea's FC Barcelona prospect Lee Seung-woo proved his caliber as he led his team to a 3-0 victory over Guinea in the opening match of the FIFA U-20 World Cup here on Saturday.Lee, who is with FC Barcelona Juvenil A, showed why he is the most popular player on the South Korean team -- not because of his affiliation with the Catalan club or his provocative hair style, but his football skills. South Korea's Lee Seung-woo celebrates his goal against Guinea during the teams' FIFA U-20 World Cu

May 21, 2017

Korea's U-20 World Cup opponents vow to impress, reach knockout stage

JEONJU -- South Korea's opponents at the FIFA U-20 World Cup vowed Friday to reach the knockout stage and impress fans with exciting performances.The U-20 World Cup will be staged in six South Korean cities from Saturday to June 11. Host South Korea has been placed in Group A with Guinea, Argentina and England. In the 24-team competition, the top two from each group and the four best third-place teams will advance to the round of 16.South Korea and Guinea will have their opening match at Jeonju

May 19, 2017

FIFA's refereeing chief says video assistance will only be used to address 'clear' mistakes

JEONJU -- FIFA's top refereeing official emphasized Friday that the video review system at the upcoming youth tournament in South Korea will only be used in "clear mistakes."The 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which runs from Saturday to June 11 in six South Korean cities, is the first youth tournament by the world football governing body to rely on the video assistant referee system. FIFA previously used the VAR system at the Club World Cup in Japan last November. FIFA's Head of Refereeing Massimo Bu

May 19, 2017

Korea ready to deliver surprising performance at U-20 World Cup: coach

JEONJU -- South Korean football coach Shin Tae-yong said Friday his side will play every match like the final at the FIFA U-20 World Cup to deliver a surprising performance at home.The U-20 World Cup will be staged in six South Korean cities from Saturday to June 11. The young Taeguk Warriors are in Group A, with Guinea, Argentina and England at the 24-team tournament. The top two from each group and the four best third-placed teams advance to the round of 16.South Korea will face Guinea in the

May 19, 2017

Ticket sales sluggish for FIFA U-20 World Cup in Korea

With a day left until the opening of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea, less than 30 percent of tickets have been sold, according to the organizers, although the tournament's opening match is likely to be sold out. South Korea will host the U-20 World Cup in six cities -- Suwon, Jeonju, Daejeon, Cheonan, Incheon and Jeju -- from Saturday to June 11. The young Taeguk Warriors are in Group A with Guinea, Argentina and England at the 24-team football competition.  South Korean under-20 nationa

May 19, 2017

Son Heung-min's record-setting performance bodes well for Korean World Cup hopes

The record-setting performance by Tottenham Hotspur's winger Son Heung-min this week is also a welcoming sight for the South Korean national team trying to qualify for the next FIFA World Cup.Son scored twice against Leicester City in their Premier League match in Leicester on Thursday (local time), giving him 21 goals in all competitions this season. After a monthlong drought, Son finally moved past former star Cha Bum-kun as the top South Korean scorer in a European season. Cha scored 19 goals

May 19, 2017

Korean coach says no home field advantage at U-20 World Cup with video assistance

JEONJU -- South Korean football coach Shin Tae-yong said Thursday there will be no home field advantage at the FIFA U-20 World Cup with the introduction of a video review system.The U-20 World Cup will be staged in six South Korean cities from Saturday to June 11. The young Taeguk Warriors are in Group A, with Guinea, Argentina and England at the 24-team tournament.The 21st edition of the U-20 World Cup is the first youth event by FIFA with video assistant referees. They will be able to provide

May 18, 2017

Barca prospect hoping to score Korea's 1st goal at U-20 World Cup

JEONJU -- FC Barcelona prospect Paik Seung-ho said Thursday he hopes to score South Korea's opening goal at the FIFA U-20 World Cup on home soil.Host South Korea will face Guinea to start their Group A action at 8 p.m. Saturday at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. And the 20-year-old midfielder said he'd like to put his name on the score sheet before anyone else. South Korean midfielder Paik Seung-ho poses for photos during the men's under-20 national football team media

May 18, 2017

Son Heung-min to return home with Tottenham teammates next week

Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean star Son Heung-min will return home with his teammates next week for promotional events, the club's main sponsor said Wednesday.AIA, the pan-Asian insurance group that sponsors the English Premier League club, said Son and his clubmates Kyle Walker, Kevin Wimmer and Ben Davies will make a three-day visit to South Korea starting next Tuesday. AIA said Tottenham players will attend various fan events during their stay and meet with its South Korean branch employees

May 17, 2017

Sharing hotel with U-20 World Cup opponents no problem: coach

JEONJU -- South Korean football coach Shin Tae-yong said Wednesday staying in the same hotel with the team's group stage opponents ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup will not pose a big problem.The U-20 World Cup kicks off Saturday and will run until June 11 in six local cities -- Cheonan, Daejeon, Incheon, Jeonju, Suwon and Jeju. The young Taeguk Warriors are in Group A with Guinea, Argentina and England at the 24-team tournament, and all four teams landed in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, on Mon

May 17, 2017

Ex-football stars hope Korea go beyond semis at U-20 World Cup

Two former South Korean football stars said Wednesday they hoped the youth national team will go deep into the upcoming FIFA tournament at home -- even beyond where they'd gone more than three decades ago.Shin Yon-ho and Kim Jong-boo were pivotal in South Korea's joining the final four at the 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship -- now known as the FIFA U-20 World Cup -- in Mexico. South Korea met Uruguay in the quarterfinals of the 1983 tournament and were tied 1-1 after regulation play. Shin the

May 17, 2017

Host Korea eyeing historic success at FIFA U-20 World Cup

The FIFA U-20 World Cup will kick off on Saturday, with South Korea eyeing to deliver their best performance to date at home.Under the slogan "Trigger the Fever," the U-20 World Cup will be played until June 11 in six local cities -- Cheonan, Daejeon, Incheon, Jeonju, Suwon and Jeju. South Korea was named the host of the 2017 U-20 World Cup in 2013 after edging out Azerbaijan in a vote during a FIFA Executive Committee meeting.Members of South Korea's squad for the FIFA U-20 World Cup pose for a

May 17, 2017

Korean striker aims to score goals in every match at U-20 World Cup

PAJU -- Cho Young-wook might not be the most well-known player on the South Korean squad for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, but he might be the player with the greatest ambitions.As the main striker for the host nation of the U-20 World Cup, Cho wants to score goals in every match he plays. At the 24-team tournament, which kicks off on Saturday, South Korea are in Group A with Guinea, Argentina and England."I always think about scoring one goal in every game I play," Cho said Monday after a group phot

May 16, 2017

Korea have perfect preparations for the U-20 World Cup: coach

South Korean football coach Shin Tae-yong said Monday his side have the perfect preparations for the FIFA U-20 World Cup as they enter the final stretch to get ready for the tournament at home. Shin, who took over the under-20 national football team last December, said South Korea will not disappoint home fans at the U-20 World Cup, which kicks off on Saturday. At the 24-team FIFA tournament, the young Taeguk Warriors are in Group A with Guinea, Argentina and England."We have very good teamwork

May 15, 2017

FC Barcelona's Korean prospects eager to have 'long stay' in U-20 World Cup

PAJU -- FC Barcelona's two South Korean prospects said Monday they want to stay in the FIFA U-20 World Cup a long time to impress football fans. Lee Seung-woo and Paik Seung-ho are two of the 21 players who are selected for South Korea's squad for the U-20 World Cup, which will be staged in six local cities from Saturday. The young Taeguk Warriors are in Group A with Guinea, Argentina and England. In the U-20 World Cup, 24 teams have been divided into six groups of four and the top two teams fro

May 15, 2017

Korea play to 2-2 draw with Senegal in final tune-up for U-20 World Cup

GOYANG -- South Korea played to a 2-2 draw with Senegal on Sunday in their final tune-up match for the FIFA U-20 World Cup at home.Cho Young-wook scored a goal and set up another for U-20 World Cup host, but the African opponents earned their equalizer in the late second half to avoid a defeat at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, just north of Seoul. This was South Korea's last tune-up match before entering the U-20 World Cup. The 24-team FIFA tournament will be staged in six local cities from Saturday

May 14, 2017

Korean football chief plans to co-host World Cup with Asian neighbors in 2030

GOYANG -- South Korea's football chief said Sunday he believes the country can co-host the FIFA World Cup with three neighboring nations in 2030.Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association (KFA), said South Korea plans to launch a joint World Cup bid with North Korea, China and Japan, although details have not been discussed yet.  Chung Mong-gyu, head of the Korea Football Association, speaks to reporters ahead of the South Korean under-20 national football team's friendly match

May 14, 2017